Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge resurgence throughout the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to ensure that these classic, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their fragility, size, and weight. The good news is, our experienced Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball machines had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Solid State makers.
Later on machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be 2 bolts inside as added safety, in case the latch is broken or inadvertently un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however gradually the secret might have been lost. Quite often, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have wiring decreasing into the maker. You might wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, but they must be various sizes, making it difficult to plug back incorrectly.
You can now remove the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in one of three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the.
When unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to raise the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are inside, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not require to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry should be long this content enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
You need to get inside if you can not fold the head box down. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen panel. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later on Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Removing the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.
However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been required. If this is the case, you will have to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Loading the Pinball.
You are now ready to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you pack it, ensure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs. Move the maker in, and after that eliminate the back legs. It is much easier to load the machine front.
Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop suddenly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.